Lightning Jack

Written AND starring Paul Hogan, as the bank robber Jack Kane in the old west! Fun co-stars Cuba Gooding (Jerry Maguire) and Beverly d'Angelo (Vacation). When a bank job goes wrong, Jack takes mute errand boy Doyle (Gooding) with him and shows him the ropes. But Doyle is teaching Jack more than Jack is teaching him! A whole lot of corny jokes. Never really goes anywhere. Tiny part for Roger Daltrey, who didn't have any shows to do that week. Hogan had already done Dundee One and Two, and would make one more a couple years after this! This one is a snoozer. I like what he tried to do, but... oh, did I doze off? Some comanche folklore, which may or may not actually be true. And a five minute training course on how making love to a woman is like riding a horse. It's a bit much. The required bar room brawl. This one is no big deal. Directed by aussie Simon Wincer.

What an homage to Westerns. This is more in the mold of "Rustler's Rhapsody" which itself was a treat. Lightning Jack was played by Paul Hogan. He was a quickdraw outlaw that was quickly gangless after a botched bank robbery. Though he never rebuilt his gang, he gained a sidekick in Ben Doyle (Cuba Gooding Jr.). There was just one problem: Ben Doyle was mute. Ben Doyle being a mute sidekick made for some serious comedy. Part of me said that I shouldn't laugh because they're making fun of a handicap. Another, more juvenile, part of me laughed heartily at Ben Doyle's antics. Honestly, it takes remarkable acting to play a mute and have the range of expressions to be funny. It's almost a throwback to silent films in which everything was conveyed via facial expressions and bodily motions. So maybe "Lightning Jack" is just a guilty pleasure of mine.

Beautiful work by Cuba Gooding, Jr. in this Western comedy with beloved Aussie hero (who also directs). All heart, but includes the necessary sweaty grimy sinister bad guys and violence. Lots of horses. (Great film to work for as a wrangler.) Also the gorgeous witty professional women. And Native American medicine. Good as a break from the daily grind.

This is a comedy set in the old west. Even if it's not your favorite movie genre, it's worth watching if for no reason than the amazing acting by Cuba Gooding, Jr. It takes a talented actor to give such a strong performance without a single word of dialogue. Paul Hogan is as adorable as ever, although the role of Lightning Jack Kane doesn't differ much from his Crocodile Mick Dundee character. The supporting cast nicely fills out the roster of characters. I recommend this film for its light, entertaining value.

Better than 90% of movies today. Great story a little silly. Paul at the time of the release was on top of the world. It's a great movie to watch with a crazy gun toting wife.

It could have been a horrible vanity project by Paul Hogan, but it turned out to be an inoffensive comedy. Not particulary funny or clever, but it passed the time. Cuba Gooding Jr was very good considering he wasn't allow to talk at all. Even Paul Hogan was didn't ham it up too much. It isn't a great western or a great comedy but it isn't bad and, unless you pay to see it, may even leave you with a half-amused little smile.